By Lookout Staff
February 4, 2026 -- For generations, the Santa Monica Pier has served as a scenic backdrop for love and romance -- from first dates and wedding proposals to special moments with family and friends.
This month, those "meaningful moments" can be shared by both locals and visitors from around the world on the Pier's website during the storied landmark's annual "Month of Love," Santa Monica Pier Corporation officials announced Tuesday.
The Month of Love 2026 Story Submission Campaign, which is open through February, "encourages guests to reflect on the memories they’ve made along the historic Pier deck," officials said.
The memories shared include "holding hands at sunset, sharing an ice cream cone, braving a roller coaster ride with a best friend, celebrating with family, or saying 'I do' beneath the Ferris wheel lights at Pacific Park."
For Sarah Lichtenwalter, who shared her story last year, the Pier was one of the first stops she and her boyfriend made when they moved from the Midwest to LA.
The iconic "Compass Rose" painted on the deck was the spot where the couple stood when he proposed, her bouquet was designed to match the colors in Pacific Park and its world-famous Ferris Wheel served as the backdrop for their wedding picture (above).
"The pier has been a part of the biggest days of our lives and we look forward to making many more memories!" she wrote in her post.
This year's stories will again be shared anonymously on the Pier’s website and social media channels, "creating a collective love letter that honors every form of connection," Pier officials said.
“The Pier has always been a place where people come together -- across generations, cultures, and life moments,” said Jim Harris, executive director of the non-profit Santa Monica Pier Corporation.
“Month of Love is our way of celebrating those connections and inviting people everywhere to be part of the story.”
Past submissions have ranged from "cross-country proposals at the end of Route 66 to family New Year’s celebrations, first dates that turned into lifelong partnerships, honeymoons from around the world, and quiet personal moments of reflection by the sea," Pier officials said.
"Together, these stories capture the Pier not just as an iconic destination, but also as a place where memories are made and shared."
To submit a story, participants must be signed into a Gmail account.
Month of Love 2026 submissions are now open to everyone, and participants are encouraged to share the call with friends and family.
For more information and to submit a story, click here